AUSTRALIA’S Sydney FC upset reigning champion Guangzhou Evergrande 2-1 in the AFC Champions League (ACL) yesterday, with the winner coming just two minutes from time.

    Serbian substitute Milos Dimitrijevic was the home team’s hero as his shot squirmed beneath Guangzhou goalkeeper Zeng Cheng in the 88th minute.

    It was only Sydney’s second win at home in their third ACL campaign.

    The loss left the expensively-assembled Chinese giant with only one point from two ACL matches this season as World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari seeks to keep Guangzhou in contention to defend their Asian crown.

    Sydney, assembled for a fraction of the cost of Guangzhou Evergrande, constantly took the game to the Chinese powerhouse. They fought back for the winner after their early goal was canceled out by Huang Bowen.

    Sydney began strongly before a home crowd dominated by red-shirted Guangzhou supporters, swelled by Evergrande’s giveaway of over 9,000 free tickets to the local expat Chinese community.

    In the 17th minute, the Guangzhou defenders failed to clear the ball from the danger area before a downward header from Shane Smeltz found Robert Stambolziev, who stabbed the ball home.

    The defending champion almost immediately had a chance to hit back, when record signing Colombian striker Jackson Martinez was pulled down by Sebastian Ryall for a penalty.

    Brazilian Ricardo Goulart’s poorly struck spot kick was well saved by home goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic.

    But the Chinese giants struck three minutes later when Goulart put Huang Bowen on goal. His shot crossed the line despite an attempt by defender Rhyan Grant to stop it from going in.

    Goulart looked to have a good claim on a penalty nine minutes from the end when he was apparently held back by Grant as he tried to wriggle his way clear in the box. (SD-Agencies)